Method of conditioning paper freshly printed with ink



Jan. 23, 1968 H. E. MowRY ETAL..

METHOD OF CONDITIONING PAPER FRESHLY PRINTED WITH INK 8 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Oct. 8. 1965 vigm INVENTORS.

Jan. 23, 1968 H. E. MowRY ETAL METHOD OF CONDITIONING PAPER FRESHLY PRINTED WITH INK 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Ooi. 8, 1965 INVENTORS.

Harry E Mowry and Jan. 23, 1968 H. E. MOWRY ETAL 3,364,584

METHOD OF CONDITIONING PAPER FRESHLY PRINTED WITH INK Filed Oct. 8, 1965 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS. Harry E Mqwry and Guy l( Carr/calo Jan. 23, 1968 H. E. MowRY r-:TAL

METHOD OF CONDITIONING PAPER FRESHLY PRINTED WITH INK 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Oct, 8P 1965 INVENTORS. Harry E Mowry and Guy l( Carr/'cato Jan. 23, 1968 H. E, MOWRY ETAL.

INK

MF'IHO!" OF' CONDITIONING PAPER FRESHLY PRINTED WITH 8 Sheets-Sheet Filed Oct.

INVENTORS.

Harry E. Mowry and Jan., 23, 196s H. E. MOWRY ETI-XL METHOD OF CONDITIONING PAPER FRESHLY PRINTED WITH INK Filed Oct. 8, 1965 8 Sheets-Sheet G Harry E Mowry and Guy I( Carr/'caro INVENTORS.

Jan- 23, 1968 H. E. MOWRY ETAi, 3,364,584@

METEO OF CONDITIONING PAPER FRESHLY PRINTED WITH INK l Filed 00+.. 8, 1965 8 Sheets-Sheet '7 lllll I @um mmlllll III IIIIIIII INVENTORS. Fl 7 Harry E. Mowry and Guy l( Carr/'cato WW' "df Jan. 23, 1968 H. E. MowRY ETAL METHOD OF CONDITIONING PAPER FRESHLY PRINTED WITH INR 8 Sheets-Sheet (jV Filed Oct. 8, 1965 v Harr E y and Guy Carr/caio @p/wf INVENTORS. Mawr United States Patent O METHOD F CONDITIONING PAPER FRESHLY PRINTED WITH INK Harry E. Mov/ry, Bcn Avon, and Guy V. Carricato,

Sharpsburg, Pa., assignors to Miller Printing Machinery Co., Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed Oct. 8, 1965, Ser. No. 494,183 7 Claims. (Cl. 34-18) ABSTRACT 0F THE DSCLOSURE A process for conditioning paper sheets freshly printed with ink containing volatile constituents. The freshly printed sheets are moved edgewise into a heating zone Where the sheet is subjected to infra-red heat and a portion of the wet ink is volatilized. A portion of the volatilized ink is thereafter ignited and burned. Both the burned and unburned volatilized constituents of the ink are removed from the vicinity of the paper surfaces. The sheets are thereafter further treated by passing the same over successive chill rolls and cooling the sheets. The sheets while advancing change position so that the sheets are in face to face relation and are thereafter conveyed in this face to face relation through a humidifying chamber to a receiver.

This invention relates to a method of conditioning paper freshly printed with ink. It relates more particularly to a method of conditioning paper freshly printed with ink containing a volatile constituent.

Printing speeds are constantly increasing with consequent increase in the problems incident to handling paper freshly printed with ink while avoiding offsetting, smearing and smudging. The importance of rapid setting of the ink is magnified. While rapid setting of the ink is promoted by heat the heat dehumidifies the paper adding to the complexity of the problem.

We have devised a method of conditioning paper freshly printed with ink which rapidly sets the ink and also controls the moisture content of the paper. Our invention is applicable to both printed webs and printed sheets although perhaps having its greatest advantages in the treatment of printed sheets. Also, while our invention is applicable to the conditioning of paper freshly printed with ink which does not contain a volatile constituent the invention has especial utility and advantage in the conditioning of paper freshly printed with ink containing a volatile constituent, such, for example, as a solvent.

While as above indicated the invention is of wide application We have chosen for purposes of explanation and illustration to describe and show the invention as practiced in the conditioning of sheets of paper freshly printed with ink containing a volatile constituent.

We provide a method of conditioning paper freshly printed with ink comprising by an endless element advancing the printed paper, during such advance applying heat to promote setting of the ink, separating the printed paper from the endless element and cooling the endless element. The cooling of the endless element obviates overheating of the paper which might result in scorching of the paper when heat is applied to promote setting of the ink.

More specifically, we provide a method of conditioning paper freshly printed with ink containing a volatile constituent comprising by an endless element advancing the printed paper, during such advance applying heat and volatilizing and removing such constituent, separating the printed paper from the endless element and cooling the endless element.

In addition to cooling the endless element above re- 3,364,584 Patented Jan. 23, i968 ice ferred to we also provide for cooling and humidifying the printed paper after setting of the ink. Thus if the moisture content of the paper has been decreased below an optimum level during setting of the ink the moisture content is adjusted during our process. We preferably pass the printed paper after setting of the ink in Contact with a moistened chill roll to cool and humidity the printed paper. The paper may be passed with its respective faces in contact with successive chill rolls. We desirably contact the surface of each chill roll with one or more moistened rolls to apply moisture to the chill roll and clean the snrface of the chill roll, and we control the amount of moisture applied by the moistened roll or rolls to the chill roll.

As above indicated, our method has particular advantages in the conditioning of sheets of paper freshly printed with ink. We preferably advance the freshly printed sheets, during such advance apply heat to promote setting of the ink and thereafter further advance the sheets each suspended by an edge and hanging in generally parallel relationship. During such further advance the sheets are treated, especially in respect of control of the moisture content. The further advance of the sheets is preferably terminated by delivering the sheets to a pile in which they are disposed vertically atop one another.

In a preferred procedure of conditioning sheets of paper freshly printed with ink we continuously advance the sheets by moving them edgewise one after another, during such movement apply heat to promote setting of the ink and while continuing the advance of the sheets move them in a path in which the sheets are disposed in spaced apart generally face to face relationship and further treat the sheets while they are so moving. The further treatment may comprise adjusting the moisture content of the sheets. While normally the sheets Will have been dehumidiied during the ink setting step we may if occasion arises reduce the moisture content of the sheets in the final step.

In a more specific method we provide for conditioning sheets of paper freshly printed with ink containing a volatile constituent by continuously advancing the sheets by moving them edgewise one after another, during such movement subjecting the sheets to infra-red heat to volatilize such constituents, applying flame to further volatilize such constituent and burn the volatilized constituent, removing the burned and unburned volatilized constituent and passing the sheets successively with their respective faces in contact with chill rolls to cool the sheets and while continuing the advance of the sheets moving them in a path in which the sheets are disposed in spaced apart generally face to face relationship and further treating the sheets while they are so moving.

Other details, objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the following description of a present preferred method of practicing the invention in connection with an illustration of one form of apparatus which may be employed proceeds.

In the accompanying drawings we have shown one form of apparatus which may be used for the practice 0f our invention in which FIGURES la, 1b and 1c taken together constitute a side elevational view with portions cut away of the apparatus (FIGURES 1a and lb should be considered as fitting together along the line X--X and FIGURES 1b and 1c should be considered as fitting together along the line Y--Y despite the fact that for practical reasons there is a small difference in scale among FIGURES la, lb and lc);

FIGURES 2a and 2b taken together along the line Z-Z show a fragmentary plan view of a portion of the apparatus shown in FIGURES 1b and lc;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary detail view to enlarged scale of a portion of a chain and gripper assembly forming part of the apparatus;

FIGURE 4 is a plan view of the part of the apparatus shown in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a vertical cross-sectional View taken on the line V-V of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken on the line VI-VI of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 7 is a diagram of the driving gears, sprockets and sprocket chains for our apparatus; and

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged fragmentary view partly in elevation and partly in longitudinal cross section, of a portion of the structure shown in FIGURE lb.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, there are shown diagrammatically in FIGURE lc elements of an offset sheet printing press. The press may be a conventional offset sheet printing press; however, those skilled in the art will understand that the invention is not limited to use with such a press but may be used with presses of other types. Those skilled in the art will further understand that in the form of press shown sheets are taken and advanced by the various cylinders by grippers lwhich are operated to take and release the sheets in conventional manner. The structure of the printing press forms no part of our invention.

Sheets pass clockwise around transfer cylinder 2 and are taken by impression cylinder 3 around which they pass counterclockwise. The plate cylinder is shown at 4 and the blanket cylinder at 5. The printing couple is constituted by the impression cylinder 3 and the blanket cylinder 5. The sheets are printed as they pass around the impression cylinder 3 and engage the blanket cylinder 5 as is conventional in offset sheet printing. The printed sheets are taken by the transfer cylinder 6 around which they pass clockwise.

Our apparatus has supporting structure including side frames 7 in which is journaled a chill roll 8 having roll necks 9. Fixed to the necks 9 of the chill roll 8 are sprockets 10. Sprocket chains 11 are trained about the respective sprockets 10. Each sprocket chain 11 is also trained about a sprocket 12 rotatably mounted in the supporting structure and a sprocket 13 carried by a delivery reel 13a rotatably mounted in the supporting structure and also is guided by guides 14, 15 and 16. The sprocket chains 11 operate in synchronism since the sprockets 13 are both carried by the delivery reel 13a which is driven from the press as illustrated by FIGURE 7 and later described. The sprocket chains 11 carry spaced apart transverse gripper bars having grippers mounted thereon which are operated in conventional manner as known by those skilled in the art to take sheets from the transfer cylinder 6 and ad- Vance them in the counterclockwise direction viewing FIGURE lc. The composite endless element comprising the sprocket chains 11 and the transverse gripper bars and grippers will be identified by 11a.

The sheets carried by the endless element 11a move toward the left viewing FIGURE lc between an infra-red dryer 17 and a reflector 18 to promote setting of the ink. The infra-red heat not only promotes setting of the ink but also penetrates the paper. This is of especial advantage when ink containing a volatile constituent is used. Some of the Volatile constituent of the ink permeates the paper and thus initiates setting of the ink. The infra-red heat is eiective in volatilizing such of the volatile constituent as has not permeated the paper.

When the sheets emerge from the infra-red dryer 17 substantially all of the volatile constituent of the ink which has not permeated the paper has been volatilized. The paper passes upwardly through a gas dryer 19 in which flames 19a are directed against the opposite faces of the paper to iinally set the ink, and the flames burn the volatile constituent which has been volatilized in the infrared dryer and any unvolatilized volatile constituent will be completely volatilized and substantially burned in the gas dryer. As the paper emerges upwardly from the gas dryer 19 the paper has at one or both faces thereof residue from the set ink, particularly when ink containing a volatile constituent is used. The residue tends to cling to and move along with the paper. It is sheared olf by air knives 2) which direct generally blade-shaped air blasts against the faces of the paper at an angle in the direction opposite the direction of advance of the paper. The residue removed by the air knives is drawn off through ducts 21.

The endless element 11a carries the paper around the chill roll 8. At the time the paper reaches the chill roll 3 the ink has been set and the residue has been removed but the paper is hot and has been dehumidied in the dryers 17 and 19.

The endless element 11a has become heated in the dryers 17 and 19. To cool it off it passes through a cooling chamber 21a where it is sprayed with a cooling Huid, preferably water, through spray heads 2lb. Cooling uid clinging to the endless element is removed by air jets 21e issuing from air bars 123. Thus by the time the endless element gets back to the delivery reel 13a it has been cooled and dried and is ready for the succeeding cycle.

A second chill roll 22 and a third chill roll 23 are disposed in cooperative relation with the chill roll 8 as shown in FIGURE 1b and are suitably mounted in the supporting structure and driven to rotate at the same surface speed as the chill roll 8. Each of the chill rolls 22 and 23 carries grippers which are operated in conventional manner and which take the sheets from the endless element 11a and carry them around the chill roll 22 in the clockwise direction and thence around the chill roll 23 in the counterclockwise direction. Each of the sheets passes around the chill roll 8 through almost half a revolution and around the chill roll 22 through somewhat less than half a revolution and around the chill roll 23 for either just a short distance or somewhat more than half a revolution depending upon subsequent operations as will presently be described.

Moisture is applied to each of the chill rolls 8, 22 and 23. Associated with each of the three chill rolls is a water fountain 24 from which water is delivered to the chill roll through a fountain roller 132, a ductor roller 25 and suitable cooperating rollers and 131 as shown. The water fountains 24 and associated rollers for applying moisture to the chill rolls may be conventional but the rollers 130 are driven in a direction opposite that of each of the three chill rolls to clean the chill rolls while applying moisture. The amount of moisture applied to each chill roll may be controlled and regulated by control of the corresponding ductor roller 25. Thus under any particular circumstances the quantity of moisture delivered to the chill rolls may be increased or decreased and the quantity of moist-ure delivered to the respective chill rolls may be Varied. The effect of passage of the sheets against the chill rolls is to cool and humidify the paper.

Provision is made for removing sheets for inspection at the chill roll 23. The means for performing that function are shown to enlarged scale in FIGURE 8. The chill roll 23 has spaced at intervals thereacross gripper pads 26 with each of which a gripper 27 of conventional construction operates. The grippers 27 are pivoted in the chill roll 23 iby being fastened to a turnable shaft 28. An arm 29 fixed to the shaft 28 carries a cam follower roller 30. A cam 31 is mounted in the supporting structure of the apparatus and is adapted to be moved by the operator, as, for example, by solenoid operating means, selectively into position underlying the roller 30 and into position laterally offset Ifrom the roller 30. When the cam 31 is in position laterally offset from the roller 30 the grippers 27 remain closed. The normal operation of the grippers 27 to take sheets from the chill roll 22 and carry them somewhat more than half way around the chill roll 23 is accomplished by conventional mechanism which is not shown in the drawings but which is Well known to those skilled in the art. When the cam 31 is moved by the operator into position under the roller 39 the roller 30 raises to the high point 32 of the cam 31 as the chill roll 23 turns in the counterclockwise direction viewing FIG- URE 8 which raises the arm 29 and opens the grippers 27.

An arm 33 is also xed to the shaft 28. Pivoted to the end of the arm 33 at 34 is a bar 35. Pivoted to the bar 35 at 36 is an arm 37. Pivoted to the `bar 35 at 38 is an arm 39. The arm 37 is fixed to a shaft 41 turnably mounted in the chill roll 23 and to which shaft lifters 40 are fastened. The arm 39 is pivotally mounted in the chill roll 23 at 42 and has a cam extension 43 adjacent the periphery of the chill roll 23 as shown in FIGURE 8.

Fastened to a shaft 44 turnably mounted in the supporting structure are spaced apart separating fingers 45. Two downwardly extending arms 46 and 122 are fastened to the shaft 44. Arm 46 carries a cam following roller 47 positioned in transverse alignment with the cam 43. A rod 49 is pivoted to the arm 122 at 48. The opposite end of the rod 49 is pivoted at 50 to an arm 51 turnable about a fixed pivot 52 and with which arm is integrally associated a detent 53. The supporting structure turnably carries a shaft 54 on which is mounted an arm 55, and a rod 56 is positioned between and adapted to engage the under surface of the outer end of the arm 55 and the upper surface of the detent 53. Arms 57 are fixed to the shaft 54, each arm 57 carrying a roller 58. A sheet receiving chute 59 is positioned to receive sheets delivered toward the left viewing FiGURE 8 at the top of the chill roll 23.

The grippers 27 are at all times urged toward closed or operative position by a compression coil spring 133 disposed about a rod 134 pivoted at 135 to an arm 136 fixed to the shaft 28. The outer end of the rod 134 extends through a bore in a bracket 137 mounted on the supporting structure. The spring 133 bears between a washer 13S which lies against the bracket 137 and a stop 139 near the end of the rod where it is pivoted to the arm 136. Thus the grippers 27 are maintained closed at all times except when means are operated to open them.

The arms 45 and 122 are urged inwardly of the chill roll 23 by a compression coil spring 14) disposed about a rod 141 pivoted at 142 to the arm 122. The outer end of the rod 141 extends through a bore in a bracket 142:1 mounted on the supporting structure. The spring 140 bears between a Washer 143 which lies against the bracket 142:1 and a stop 144 near the end of the rod where it is pivoted to the arm 122. A stop 145 is carried by the supporting structure and the arm 122 is maintained against that stop by the spring 140 at all times except when the cam 43 acting through the cam following roller 47 turns the separating lingers 45 to their position nearest the axis of the chill roll 23.

The rod 56 is slidably mounted in guide brackets 146 and 147 carried by the supporting structure. A compression coil spring 148 acts vbetween a head 149 on the lower end of the rod 56 and the guide bracket 147 to urge the rod 56 downwardly so that it always engages the detent 53.

The rollers 5S are at all times urged toward the surface of the chill roll 23 by a compression coil spring 15G dis posed about a rod 151 pivoted at 152 to an arm 153 fixed to the shaft 54. The opposite end of the rod 151 extends through a bore in a bracket 154 mounted on the supporting structure. The spring G bears between a washer 155 which lies against the bracket 154 and a stop 155 near the end ofthe rod where it is pivoted to the arm 153. Thus the rollers 58 are caused to bear against the surface of the chill roll 23 except when they are raised by action of the rod 56 as will be presently explained.

As above stated, when the cam 31 is moved into position under the roller 3i) the roller 3i? raises to the high point 32 of the cam 31 and opens the grippers 27 as the chill roll 23 rotates. Counterclockwise movement of the arm 33 about the axis of the shaft 2S moves the bar 35 upwardly and to the right viewing FIGURE 8 which in turn raises the lifters 4t) and swings the cam 43 outwardly relatively to the circumstances of the chill roll 23. The timing is such that as the grippers 27 and litters 40 are raised the outwardly projecting cam 43 engages the roller 47 and moves the separating ngers 45 down so that the oncoming sheet may be projected over top thereof into the chute 59. Simultaneously the rollers 58 move down and press the sheet against the surface of the chill roll 23 to insure forward projection of the sheet after it has been released by the grippers. The lifters lift the oncoming sheet so that it passes over the grippers and over the separating fingers and into the chute.

By the mechanism just described the operator may at his option at any time cause one or more sheets to be delivered to the inspection chute 59. Normally, when the cam 31 is offset from the roller 30, no sheets will be delivered to the chute 59 and all of the sheets will pass in the counterclockwise direction around the chill roll 23 for somewhat more than half the circumference of that roll where they are taken by mechanism now to be described.

Mounted for rotation in the supporting structure is a transverse shaft 69 carrying spaced apart transfer elements 61 each having two diametrically opposed arms 157. At the extremity of each of the arms 157 is a sucker 63 communicating through a port 64 with a vacuum line 65. Each of the vacuum lines 65 communicates with a rotary valve of conventional construction (not shown) through which suction is drawn through each of the suckers 53 from the time when it is straight up until it reaches the position shown in FGURE 1b for the lower arm 157. The arms 157 of the transfer elements 61 take sheets from the chill roll 23 and deliver them to a series of reciprocating suckers 66 presently to be described.

Supporting arms 67 carried by a transverse rod 68 mounted in the supporting structure carry a series of crescent-shaped brackets 69 in which are journaled rollers 70 which may be generally star shaped or pointed. The purpose of the rollers 70 is to guide the trailing portions of the sheets as they are advanced by the arms 157 of the transfer elements 61. Thus as each set of arms 157 carries a sheet by its forward portion in the clockwise direction around the axis of the shaft 66 the sheet is guided by the rollers 7).

Each of the reciprocating suckers 66 is disposed at the extremity of a tube 71 pivoted at 72 to the extremity of a curved lever 73 fixed to a cross shaft 74 journaled for rotation in the supporting structure. Also fixed to the cross shaft 74 is an arm 75 pivoted at 75 to -a link 77 which in turn is pivoted at 78 to a lever 79 pivoted at Sti to the supporting structure and carrying a roller 81 at its opposite end. The roller 81 follows a rotary cam 82 of a contour such as to cause oscillation of the lever 79. The rotary cam 82 is mounted on the neck of the chill roll 23 and rotates therewith.

Integral with each tube 71 is an extension 83 pivoted at 84 to a link 85 whose opposite end is pivoted at 86 to a bracket S7 carried by the sunportingstructure.

Rotation of the cam S2 oscillates the lever 79 which through the mechanism shown oscillates the arms 73 each of which in turn oscillates or reciprocates its sucker 66 along the path indicated in FIGURE 1b. The tubes 71 are also connected with a rotary valve so that suction is drawn through the suckers 56 when taking a sheet from one set of arms 157 and that suction is maintained until the suckers 66 reach the position designated A in FIGURE 1b at which time the sheet is taken by grippers presently to be described whereupon the suction is released and the suckers 66 return to the position shown in solid lines in FIGURE 1b to receive the next sheet. Air jets 88 issuing from an air bar 83a are provided for urging the lower portions of sheets taken by the suckers 66 from the arms 157 downwardly and toward the left as indicated in FIGURE lb to facilitate the subsequent conveying of the sheets hanging by their upper edges and in generally parallel relationship extending transversely of their path of advance beyond the position A.

aas/tesi Mounted in the supporting structure for continuous movement in a generally clockwise direction are four endless sprocket chains S9 carrying grippers as will presently be described. For simplicity one of the chains will be described and it will be understood that the other three chains are identical and function in similar manner.

Chain 89 meshes with a sprocket 90 on a shaft 91 and with a sprocket 92 xed to a shaft 93 driven as will presently be described. The path of the chain is controlled by guides 94 and 9S shown in FIGURE 1b. The chain is shown to enlarged scale in FIGURES 36. Links of the chain spaced apart at equal intervals carry brackets 96 which project at right angles to the length of the chain, downwardly along the lower reach of the chain and upwardly along the upper reach of the chain. The lower reach is the active reach and the upper reach is the return reach. Pivoted to each bracket 96 is a gripper assembly designated as a whole by 96a. Each gripper assembly 96a comprises a gripper element 97 having a gripper 98, an arm 99 opposed to the gripper 98 and an arm 100 carrying a roller 101, and a cooperating element 102 having a gripper pad 103 and an arm 104 carrying a roller 105. A compression coil spring 106 is disposed between each arm 99 and the corresponding gripper pad 103 normally pressing the gripper pad 103 against the gripper 9S to close the gripper.

Thus it will be seen that each gripper assembly 96a is pivoted to turn about an axis 107 on bracket 96. The elements 97 and 102 of each gripper assembly 96a are normally maintained by the spring 106 in the relationship shown in FIGURE 3, i.e., with the gripper closed.

The parts of each gripper assembly 96a are weighted so that when the gripper assembly is free `from external control it assumes by gravity the position shown `at B and at C in FIGURE 1a. In other words, regardless of whether a ygripper assembly is moving from right to left viewing FIGURE la along the lower reach of t-he chain or from left to right along the upper reach of the chain it is oriented as shown at B and C, i.e., with the `gripper 98 and pad 103 extending straight downwardly so that a sheet gripped by the gripper will be suspended from its upper edge and will hang straight `downwardly with the body of the sheet coplanar with the -gripper upper edge.

Cam means are provided for controlling the grippers through the rollers 101 and 105. As a gripper assembly imoving toward the right viewing FIGURE 1b along the upper reach of the chain approac-hes the right hand end thereof its roller 105 enters a cam groove 10S in a guide 108a. The cam groove 108 communicates directly with a cam groove 120H in a cam 120. The cam groove 120a extends around the axis of the shaft 93, terminating at D (FIGURE lb). Each cam 120 is carried by a support 62. The purpose of the cam -grooves 108 and 120a is to control the orientation of the gripper assemblies. The gripper element 98 andthe gripper pad 103 of each gripper assembly are maintained in contact with each other by the spring 106 so the gripper assembly as a whole is free to turn about the axis 107. As above explained each gripper assembly is weighted so that when not influenced by any cam or cam groove it assumes the orientation shown at B and C in FIGURE la. The cam grooves 108 and 120a maintain each gripper assembly in generally the same orientation ias the gripper assembly moves around the axis of the shaft 93 although causing the -gripper assembly Ito tilt slightly to be in position to receive sheets presented thereto by the reciprocating suckers 66. As each gripper assembly approaches the position for receiving a sheet from the suckers 66 it is opened by the roller 101 riding up on a cam 109 (FIGURE lb). The gripper assembly remains open while the forward edge of the sheet to be taken is presented between the gripper 98 and the gripper pad 103 thereof whereupon the roller 101 rides down the left hand end of the earn 109 viewin-g FIGURE lb closing the gripper on the leading edge of the sheet. At the same time suction to the suckers 66 is cut off so that the leading edge of the sheet is transferred from the suckers 66 to the `grip-per assembly.

At about the same time las the gripper -assembly grips the leading edge of the sheet and takes it from the suckers 66 the roller 105 passes out of the cam groove 120g at D (FIGURE lb) so that thereafter the lgripper assembly is free to assume its normal orientation caused by its weighting, i.e., the orientation shown at B land C in FIG- URE la. This is important because the sheets are being conveyed by the grippers hanging from their upper edges and to avoid creases in the sheets the bodies of the sheets should be coplanar with the gripper upper edges thereof. This condition is accomplished as shown in FIGURE lb. The air blasts 88 assist in moving each sheet into generally vertical position. Thus the sheets are successively transferred by the reciprocating suckers 66 from the transfer elements `61 to lthe gripper assemblies 96a and during such transfer the 'gripped edge of eac-h sheet and the portion of the body of the sheets adjacent the gripped edge are maintained substantially coplanar, avoiding creasing of the sheet.

The grippers carry Athe sheets hanging from their upper edges and in parallel relationship through a chamber 110 in which they are treated. `If the particular ink being used has not been completely set prior to entry of the sheets into the chamber 110 the treatment may include completion of setting of the ink. Also if the sheets have not been sutliciently humidied prior to entry into the chamber 110 they may be humidiiied in that chamber. Alternatively, if it should happen that the sheets have been too greatly humidified by the moistened chill rolls they can be dehumidiiied in the chamber 110. In any event the sheets move through the chamber 110 in parallel spaced 'apart relationship as shown in FIGURE lb, each sheet hanging from its upper edge and with the gripped upper edges of the sheets coplanar with the bodies of the sheets. The speed of advance of the sheets through the chamber 110 is relatively slow as compared with the speed of advance of the sheets when they are moving edgewise one after the other prior to being taken by the gripper assemblies 96a. This speed control of the sheets is one of the features of our process. Each sheet moves rst at relatively high speed when the sheets are following each other edgewise and the speed is slowed when the sheets hang in relatively close parallel relationship while passing through the chamber 110. This is al1 accomplished from a single drive and each sheet passes smoothly from one portion of the appanatus to the next.

It is desired to pile the treated sheets. This is done upon Ia pile support 111 (FIGURE 1a). In order to pile the sheets each sheet has to be reoriented from vertical to horizontal position. As each sheet approaches the pile :the body of the sheet below the gripped upper edge thereof engages ia series of rollers 112 shown in FIGURE la mounted in a bracket 113 carried by the supporting structure. Engagement of the body of the sheet with a series of rollers causes the sheet to change orient-ation from vertical tto lan orientation approaching horizontal as illustrated in FIGURE la. At the same time as the body of a sheet is being thus reoriented its upper edge is being consonantly reoriented by change of the angularity of the |gripper assemblies carrying the sheet. Such change of angularity of the gripper assemblies is caused by riding of the rollers 101 of the gripper assemblies up Van inclined cam 114 until they reach Ia level portion 115. The rollers 101 continue to ride along the level portion 115 which maintains t-he gripper `assemblies in the orientation shown at E in FIGURE la. With the gripper assemblies in such orientation the sheets are carried along over the rollers 112 to a position overlying the pile support 111 each sheet with its gripped leading edge maintained substantially coplanar wit-h the portion of the body of the sheet adjacent the gripped leading edge.

As a sheet reaches a position overlying the pile support 111 the roller 105 of the gripper assembly carrying the sheet enters a horizontal cam groove 116 whose purpose is to maintain the gripper assembly in fixed orientation. With the roller 105 in the horizontal cam groove 115 the roller 101 rides down a cam 117 as shown in FIGURE la opening the gripper assembly and releasing the sheet to fall upon the pile of sheets on the pile support 111. After the sheet has been released the roller 101 rides off of the cam 117 and the roller 105 passes out of the cam groove 116 and the gripper assembly without any sheet assumes its normal position as above described and as shown at B and C in FIGURE 1a. It maintains that position until the roller 105 enters the cam groove 108 on the succeeding cycle.

The delivery may be conventional and provided with usual means shown in FIGURE la for progressively lowering the pile support as sheets are added to the pile. Also conventional joggers may be employed as known to those skilled in the art. Since the delivery per se may be conventional it need not be here described.

FIGURE 7 is a diagram of the drive for the apparatus. A gear 118 driven lfrom the press drive rotates with the cylinder 6. For example, the rotary speed of the gear 118 may be 108 r.p.m. The gear 118 meshes with a gear 119 of equal diameter which rotates the delivery reel 13a. Also rotating with the delivery reel 13a are sprockets 13. Rotating with the chill roll 8 is a gear 121 of the same diameter as the lgears 118 and 119. Rotating with the gear 121 are sprockets 10 of the same effective diameter as the sprockets 13. Each sprocket 13 and the corresponding sprocket have a sprocket chain 11 meshing therewith.

The chill roll 22 has a gear 124 rotating therewith and the chill roll 23 has a gear 125 rotating therewith. The gears 124 and 125 are in mesh with each other and the gear 124 is in mesh with the gear 121. The gears 124 and 125 are of the same diameter as the gears 118, 119 and 12.1.

A gear 126 fixed to the shaft 60 and having the same effective diameter as the transfer elements 61 meshes with the gear 125. Also fixed to the shaft `150 is a sprocket 127. A sprocket 128 is fixed to the shaft 93. A sprocket chain 129 meshes with the sprockets 127 and 128, the diameters of the gear 126 and the sprockets 12.7 and 128 being such that the shaft 93 rotates at 25.7 r.p.m. Fixed to the shaft 93 are sprockets 92 and fixed to the shaft 91 are sprockets 90 of the same effective diameter as the sprockets 92. Each corresponding pair of sprockets 92 and 90 has a sprocket chain 89 meshing therewith.

The sheet advancing mechanism in the form shown is such that when the sheets are advancing edgewise one after another they advance at a relatively high speed whereas `when they are passing through the chamber 110 hanging by their upper edges in parallel relationship they advance at a relatively low speed.

Thus we provide for rapid and eective setting of the ink and control of the humidity of the sheets. Our apparatus is entirely automatic and the speed of the sheets is automaticaly controlled to slow them as they pass from the portion of the apparatus in which they are moving edgewise one after another to the portion of the apparatus in which they are hanging by their upper edges in parallel spaced apart relationship.

The apparatus is claimed in our copending application Ser. No. 494,185, led of even date herewith.

While we have shown and described a present preferred method of practicing the invention it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be otherwise variously practiced Within the scope of the following claims.

We claim:

1. A method of conditioning sheets of paper freshly printed with ink during their continuous transfer from a printing unit to a delivery unit comprising continuously advancing the sheets by moving them edgewise one after another on an endless element, during such movement applying heat to promote setting of the ink and then cooling the sheets in endwise relation one after 4another and while continuing the advance of the sheets changing the position of the sheets relative to each other so that the sheets are disposed in spaced apart generally face to face relationship and further treating the sheets while they are moving in this relationship to return the sheets to their original condition of size and atness.

2. A method of conditioning sheets of paper freshly printed with ink containing a volatile constituent comprising continuously advancing the sheets by moving them edgewise one after another, during such movement subjecting the sheets to infra-red heat to volatilize such constituent, applying flame to further volatilize such constituent and burn the volatilized constituent, removing the burned and unburned volatilized constituent and passing the sheets successively with their respective faces in Contact with chill rolls to cool the sheets and While continuing the advance of the sheets moving them in a path in which the sheets are disposed in spaced apart generally face to face relationship and further treating the sheets while they are so moving.

3. A method of conditioning sheets of paper freshly printed with ink containing a volatile constituent cornprising continuously advancing the sheets by moving them edgewise one after another, during such movement subjecting the sheets to infra-red heat to volatilize such constituent, applying flame to further volatilize such constituent and burn the volatilized constituent, removing the burned and unburned volatilized constituent and cooling the sheets, while continuing the advance of the sheets moving them in a path in which the sheets are disposed in spaced apart generally face to face relationship, further treating the sheets while they are so moving and terminating such continuous advance of the sheets by delivering them to a pile in which they are disposed vertically atop one another.

4. A method of conditioning sheets of paper freshly printed with ink containing a volatile constituent comprising continuously advancing the sheets by moving them edgewise one after another, during such movement subjecting the sheets to infra-red heat to volatilize such constituent, applying ame to further volatilize such constituent and burn the volatilized constituent, removing the burned and unburned volatilized constituent and passing the sheets successively with their respective faces in contact with chill rolls to cool the sheets, continuing the advance of the sheets with each sheet suspended by an edge and hanging in generally parallel spaced apart relationship and terminating such continuous advance of the sheets by delivering them to a pile in which they are disposed vertically atop one another.

y printing unit to a delivery unit comprising,

continuously advancing the sheets in edgewise relation one after the other into a heating zone and applying heat to said sheets to promote setting of the ink, continuously advancing said sheets in edgewise relation one after the other into a cooling zone and cooling said sheets, thereafter while continuing the advance of said sheets changing the position of said sheets relative to each other so that the sheets are disposed in a spaced apart -generally face to face relation, and further treating said sheets in said spaced apart generally face to face relation. `6. A method of conditioning sheets of paper freshly printed with ink during their continuous transfer from a printing unit to a delivery unit comprising,

continuously advancing the sheets in edgewise relation one after the other on an endless element into a heating zone and applying heat to said sheets to promote setting of the ink,

continuously advancing said sheets in edgewise relation one after the other from said heating zone into a cooling zone and cooling said sheets,

changing the position of said sheets relative to each other so that the sheets are disposed in a spaced apart generally face to face relation While continuing the advance of said sheets, and

continuously advancing the sheets in a spaced apart generally face to face relation into a humidifying zone to further treat said sheets.

7. A method of conditioning sheets of paper freshly printed with ink during their continuous transfer from a printing unit to a delivery unit comprising,

continuously advancing the sheets in edgewise relation one after the other on an endless element into a heating zone and applying heat to said sheets to promote setting of the ink,

continuously advancing said sheets in edgewise relattion one after the other from said heating zone into a cooling zone and cooling said sheets, thereafter while continuing the advance of said sheets changing the position of said sheets relative to each other so that the sheets are disposed in a spaced apart generally face to face relation while continuing the advance of said sheets, and

continuously advancing the sheets in a spaced apart generally face to face relation into a humidifying zone and further treating said sheets so that said sheets return to their original condition of size and flatness.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,540,687 6/1925 Feistel et al. lOl- 416 1,591,954 7/1926 Banzeth 34-162 1,808,476 6/ 1931 Pinder lOl-416 2,157,388 5/1939 MacArthur lOl-416 2,300,628 11/1942 Merson 34-150 2,645,179 7/1953 Spiro 101-416 2,826,827 3/1958 Metz 34-85 KENNETH W. SPRAGUE, Primaly Examiner. 

